The support women in management positions need to be effective managers

Abstract:

This study analysed the progression of women to senior management positions in organisations focusing on the support women need to be promoted to senior managerial positions in state owned enterprises in South Africa. It used the specific case of Transnet in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal to understand the phenomenon of women’s under-representation in senior management positions within the framework of Critical Mass Theory. The study’s objectives were; to identify challenges of mainstreaming women into managerial positions in public enterprise organizations such as Transnet, analyse the support structure and systems that women have and need to succeed and recommend strategies that can be implemented for promoting women to senior management positions.
The study adopted a post-positivist research paradigm to enable multiple perspectives from participants/target population rather than a single reality. A mixed method was used to benefit the study. In that light, both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were simultaneously used during a single phase of data collection. Primary data was gathered by survey method involving self-administered questionnaires with women employees who were not in the management and through semi-structured interviews with women who were junior managers. The secondary data was gathered by in-depth literature review and document analysis of Transnet policies, and both data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Confirming findings from existing literature which show that women are still under represented in managerial positions in public and private institutions in South Africa and worldwide, this study found that women face promotion hurdles to senior managerial positions in Transnet. Preference is given to men compared to women and men have senior mentors while women usually do not. Also, there are hidden difficulties in Transnet that women face and prevent them from moving into higher positions such as fearing criticism. While there are support structures in place to enable women to be promoted to senior managerial positions, however, implementation is a problem due to entrenched patriarchal attitudes. Based on its findings, the study made a number of recommendations was such as underscoring the urgent need for women to have matured mentors who will guide those in senior iv
management with the skills required in management positions and also mentor those who are aspiring. It was also recommended that previous experience, skills and knowledge should be considered for women to be promoted to senior management positions. v

Description:

A dissertation submitted to the Department of Public Administration in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University of Zululand, 2018